Space Group Architects, London, United Kingdom

Architectural scientists

A practice in the quest for a humane future

The members of Space Group Architects prefer to understand themselves as architectural scientists. An office turned into a laboratory.

Rather surprisingly Space Group's present works have their roots combined in the past, such as forgotten historical methods, and in future technologies. This acquired knowledge is then applied to projects. The results vary from Carbon Nanotube structures, inhabitable landscapes, crystalline building envelopes and magnetic shifting surfaces to rammed earth offices, 100m tall wooden towers, screens incorporating preserved plants, etc. Despite the modernistic and boundary pushing approach, finished projects appear contextual and warm with the human scale in mind.

The key to Space Group Architect's successful approach to architecture remains adaptable; there is a constant, unconstrained evolution. In this context research is essential in the search for ever more sustainable solutions.

The founder, Martin Gruenanger, was involved in various projects that went on to win important prizes such as the Worshipful Company of Chartered Architects' New City Architecture Award, RIBA awards and others. In 2007 he formed Space Group Architects who were runners up in the Young Architect of the Year Award 2010. Recently the practice won NLA's Don't Move, Improve! Award for Home Interior Design.

Current projects include private residential developments, shops and restaurant fit outs, 3no mixed use schemes across London (UK), a proposal for a church near Oslo (Norway) and a 9ha master planning scheme for Graz (Austria).